6th October, 2011
In a bid to safeguard his fundamental rights, a human rights lawyer, Barrister Frank Ugboma, has sued the Inspector General of Police for N50 million.
Joined as co-respondents in the ensuing legal battle are the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, Police Command, Assistant Supritendent of Police, Gold Akponafasha, One Patrick of the same Imo State Police Command. Others are Vincent Asoma, Adolphus Ozuome, Ikenna Ozuome, and Emeka Ozuome
According to an affidavit sworn to by Mr. Frank Ugboma and filed at a Federal High Court in Lagos by Mr. Cornelius Nwachukwu, the deponent averred that sometime in September, 2009, his chambers in Owerri Imo State was briefed by Eze-Igwe Andrew Ozoemena Adowere in respect of the Chieftaincy stool in Orsu Obodo community.
Consequently, a petition was written to the Commissioner of Police in Imo State as two public officers, Emmanuel Njoemena, a state security officer and Collins Ndifu, an Assistant Comptroller of Prison used their position to impose their father-in-law as the traditional ruler of the Orsu-Obodo community.
However, his acceptance to legally pursue the matter in court has resulted in threat to his life, consequent upon which he filed a suit at Owerri Federal High Court, and thereafter the court gave judgement in his favour as the court ordered the respondent to pay him N500,000 for infringing on his right in rendering to his client his professional services as a lawyer.
However, rather than obey the judgment of the court the violence in the community persisted as the police has been harassing him with all kinds of invitation that eventually led to his arraignement in magistrate court on trump up charges of forging court processes. The charge was eventually withdrawn.
Ugboma averred further that he later petitioned the Imo State Director of Public Prosecution and the Inspector General of Police. The Inspector General of police called for the case file for necessary action and despite several signals sent by the IGP, the Imo State Commissioner of Police counterminded the order of the IGP by refusing to surrender the casefile.
At the dramatic turn of events, on the 6 August, 2011, policemen from Imo State Police Command allegedly stormed Mr. Ugboma’s chambers in Lagos, damaged his properties and carted away valuable documents relating to the Ezeship stool tussle pending at Oguta High Court.
It was later discovered that ASP Gold Akponafagha who led the operation did not book with the Lagos State Police Command.
Since then there have been harassment and intimidation making the applicant to be apprehensive for his life.
In view of the foregoing, the applicant while claiming N50 million as compensation for his illegal arrest and detention, urged the court to restrain the respondents and their agents from further harassing him.
The applicant is also urging the court to order the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, ASP Gold Akponafegha, to publish in one national daily and local newspaper a public apology.
Justice Okon Abang has adjourned till 10 October for the hearing of the suit.